Bloodmark

Bloodmarks (Aran: akshamurri, plural akshamurqu) are facial tattoos used by the Aran people to signify membership and allegiance to a clan. All the clans that use akshamurqu have their own specific shapes, colors and patterns, passed down through generations. Bloodmarks are of great importance to the Arans, and a number of social conventions exist around them.

Not all members of a clan will bear bloodmarks; in most cases, only warriors and priests will bear bloodmarks. The practice of imparting a bloodmark is reserved for quraaki (chieftains) and other clan elders, and getting bloodmarks tattooed on is considered a rite of passage for the Arans.

Individuals who bear bloodmarks will adapt their names to reflect their bloodmark, and most clans are known by these terms rather than by their actual clan names: for example, members of the Qanagkaa clan are known as Benmurran ("sun-marked"), for their distinctive circular red bloodmarks.

Notable people with bloodmarks

 * Khagaru (Benmurran Khagaru)
 * Sanaa (Benmurran Sanaajha)
 * Aaru (Benmurran Aaru)